Hard Rock Café and Casino Fined $5000

Jake Banks | 06 Nov 2018

The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City were issued a $5000 fine by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement. The casino failed to notify the regulator of its appointment of a new executive.

The group recently hired Mann Lien as vice president of Asian marketing.

New Jersey Requires Key Personal To Be Licensed

According to New Jersey regulations, key personnel such as a person in a management position, or any other role in which the employee can affect the way in which a casino operates, must apply for a Key Employee License. The purpose of the license is to ensure that all staff in a position of authority meets the statutory requirements such as honesty, good character and integrity to ensure that the New Jersey casino sector stays free of organized crime.

The Hard Rock failed to make such an application for Mann Lienn, whose appointment as an executive is senior enough to require such a license.

Although the fine is a tiny one for an establishment such as the Hard Rock Café and Casino it is a matter of principal, not one of monetary value. Although Mann Lienn is licensed as a key employee, the license was not obtained through Hard Rock but his previous employment in the same position at the Tropicana. Lienn had already been in the employ of the café and casino since June before it came to the NJ regulators attention. Although he is licensed, the failure to report and the late submittal of a qualification waiver attracted the slap on the wrist.

Hard Rock Undergoes Several Management Changes

Mann Lienn is not the only change to Hard Rock AC’s human resource portfolio. The company recently appointed a new president of property and senior vice president of marketing. Both appointments came as a surprise to several industry stakeholders.

Joseph Lupo of Borgata fame will be steering the ship and Todd Moyer will fulfill one of the firms top marketing positions.

No reason for the management shuffle has been provided, however the changes were preceded by the company's new partnership with the Gaming Innovation Group (GIG). As one of only a few businesses in NJ that does not offer a sportsbook service in the quickly blossoming US sports betting market, the deal will bring the Hard Rock’s product portfolio in line with its competitors.